Electric terminal block assembly of the stud type



Jan. 30, 1962 G. USTlN 3,019,408

ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY OF THE STUD TYPE Filed April 22, 1958 FlG.l

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 l8 8 2O 72 I20 20 73/ I20 2072 I20 20 72 I20 '4 44 I I I I I I I I I ll l6 p 26 9Q I11. I i H ll 42 I I I l I08 6 74 54 90 H6 74 54 90 H6 74 90 74654 9O 44 "WWW 2 o 6 7 INVENTOR 8 GEORGE USTIN ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1962 G. USTIN 3, ,4

ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY OF THE STUD TYPE Filed April 22, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6 T "*3 INVENTOR GEORGE USTIN ATTORNEY G. USTIN ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY OF THE STUD TYPE Filed April 22, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E 9s W I 100 Hil I FIG.9

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INVENTOR GEORGE USTIN ATTORNEY rates This invention relates to electric terminal block structure and more particularly to a terminal block assembly of the stud type comprising two different types of sections of insulating material and to a novel combination of one of said sections, a stud and a stud retainer.

A stud type terminal block assembly is known which comprises a one-piece body molded of insulating material which must be cut to desired length, depending upon the number of circuits to be accommodated and thus complicating inventory control and record-keeping. This known assembly also includes studs assembled with the body, and the studs have heads which are exposed, thus requiring a bottom insulating cover. Also, the known assembly includes no insulating barrier to prevent electrical creepage or arcover. Retaining nuts, washers and lock Washers are also involved in mounting the studs.

This invention overcomes the above disadvantages. More specifically, by utilizing the invention, a terminal block assembly for as many circuits as desired can be made up from a single end section and as many additional sections of a second type as there are to be circuits in the finished assembly. A stud may be preassembled with each additional section, and the sections can be easily and quickly assembled with each other. Thus the inflexibility and attendant problems referred to above which result from a one-piece molding are obviated. Also, with the invention the stud heads are not exposed, so the need for a bottom cover is eliminated. The invention additionally provides insulating barriers which prevent electrical creepage or arc-over and eliminate need forretaining nuts, washers anl lock washers, thereby enabling a reduction in weight.

The invention also has the advantage of providing novel, greatly simplified stud retention which also provides at the same time means for holding the insulating sections together.

Important objects of the invention are to provide terminal block structure having the above advantages;

The above and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an example of the invention and the accompanying drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a terminal block assembly embodying theinvention; i

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded enlarged side elevation substantially of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 but showing fewer sections;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of What is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view on line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view on line 8-8 of FIG. 3, with certain parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 9 is a view on line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a view on line 10-10 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stud retainer which is also shown in certain other views.

The drawings show a terminal block assembly 12 having first and second ends 14 and 16, respectively, and comprising an end section 18 of insulating material pro viding end 14, and a plurality (four as shown in FIGS.

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1 and 2) of interchangeable and as shown identical additional sections 20 of insulating material, one of which, namely, the one most remote from section 18, providing end 16.

If desired, terminal block assembly 12 could include only one section 20, in addition to section 18.

End section 18 has a first end 22 facing away from end 16 and a second end 24 facing away from end 14. End 22 of section 18 has an aperture 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, for receiving a fastening device such as a screw (not shown) for securing section 18 to other structure, such as a panel (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3 each section 20 has a first end 30 facing away from end 16 and a second end 32 facing away from end 14.

End 36 of each section 20 has a plane surface or ceiling 34 including a central recessed portion 36.

End 32 of each section 20 has a plane surface or floor 38 facing in the direction opposite that faced by and substantially coplanar with ceiling 34 of the same section 20, and a plane surface or wall 4-8 facing away from end 36 and perpendicular to and intersecting floor 38.

End 32 of each section 20 also includes an aperture 42 for receiving a fastening device such as a screw (not shown) for securing that section 20 to other structure, such as the panel referred to hereinbefore. Aperture 42 is in open communication with floor 38 and wall 40 of its section 28.

End 32 of each section 24] also includes a pair of oppositely facing plane surfaces 44 (FIG. 1) intersecting and perpendicular to floor 38 and wall 40. Aperture 42 is located between surfaces 44.

End 30 of each section 26 includes a pair of confronting plane surfaces 46 intersecting and perpendicular to ceiling 34 of the same section 20 and substantially coplanar with surfaces 44 of the same section 20. As shown, surfaces 46 are provided with serrations parallel to ceiling 34 of the same section 20. Recessed portion 36 is located between surfaces 46.

The edges of surfaces 46 closest to end 32 are joined by a wall 48 having a central recessed portion 50 facing away from end 32 and forming a continuation of recessed portion 36.

End 30 of each section 20 also includes first and second spaced parallel surfaces 52 and 54 facing away from end 32. As shown, surfaces 52 and 54 are perpendicular to ceiling 34 and surface 52 intersects ceiling 34 and recessed portion 36 and is in open communication with the latter. Joining surfaces 52 and 54 is a plane surface or floor 56 which is parallel to ceiling 34 and faces in the opposite direction.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 in floor 56 is a pair of spaced straight grooves 58 perpendicular to surfaces 52 and 54. One end of each groove 58 is in open communication with surface 52 and the opposite end of each groove 58 preferably intersects surface 54. The bottoms of grooves 58 are closer to each other than the tops (which are in the plane of floor 56).

In floor 56 is also a recess 68 between grooves 58 and having parallel confronting sides 62 perpendicular to surfaces 52 and 54 and floor 56 and intersecting surface 52 and floor 56. Recess 68 also has a bottom 64 perpendicular to and joining sides 62 and parallel to floor 56 and perpendicular to and intersecting surface 52. Thus recess 68 is in open communication with surface 52.

As aforesaid, grooves 58 preferably intersect surface 54. That is to say, each groove 58 is longer than the distance separating surfaces 52 and 54. Joining the ends of grooves 58 remote from surface 52 is a recess 66 facing away from end 32. Recess 66 has an upper plane surface or ceiling 68 parallel to ceiling 34 and facing and spaced from the ends of grooves 58 remote from surface 52.

Recess 66 preferably also includes a beveled surface 70 joining surface 54 and ceiling 68.

A stud 72 and a retainer 74, the latter being illustrated by itself in FIG. ll, may be preassembled with each other and such a preassembly may be preassembled with each section 20.

Stud 72 comprises an externally threaded shank 76 and a head 78 having a pair of oppositely-facing parallel wrenching surfaces 88 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5).

Retainer 74, which may conveniently be made of sheet metal, has an apertured plane rectilinear central portion 82 which in turn has depending from opposite sides thereof a pair of plane legs 84 which in sections parallel to the plane of central portion 82 are parallel to each other, but each of which makes an acute angle with central portion 82. Legs 84 may be deemed mirror images of each other.

Stud 72 is adapted to be assembled with retainer '74 with shank 76 passing through the aperture of central portion 82, with head 78 on the same side of central portion 82 as legs 84 and with shank 76 projecting from the opposite side of central portion 82. The preassernbly thus formed is adapted for assembly with one section 29, from end 36 thereof. Legs 84 are adapted for sliding fit in grooves 58, and head 78 is adapted to be received in recess 60. At any rate, legs 84 are aligned with grooves 58 and head 78 with recess 66 and retainer '74 and stud 72 are moved bodily toward end 32. Legs 84 enter grooves 58 and head 78 enters recess 68, with central portion 82 sliding on floor 56. The end of retainer 74 remote from end 30 of section 28 enters recess 66. Ceiling 68 of recess 66 is spaced from floor 56 a distance slightly less than the thickness of central portion 82, which enters recess 66 in frictional or interference engagement with ceiling 68 and floor 56, and this entry is facilitated by beveled surface 78. Thus retainer 74 is assembled with section28 so that the two can not become accidentally separated.

Thus, too, stud 72 is prevented from rotating by virtue of the engagement of sides 62 of recess 60 with wrenching surfaces 80 of stud head 78. Bottom 64 of recess 61 is spaced from floor 56 a distance slightly greater than the axial length of stud head 78, so that for practical purposes stud 72 is thus immobile with respect to section 28.

The engagement of retainer legs 84 with grooves 58 also contributes to the proper retention of retainer 74 with respect to section and assures that central portion 82 lies flat against fioor 56.

Thus, preassemblies each comprising a section 20, a stud 72 and a retainer 74 may conveniently be stocked, ready for instant use.

End 32 of each section 20 also has a plane surface 86 directly opposite surface 52 of the same section 20 and facing in the opposite direction and intersecting and perpendicular to fioor 38, a plane surface or ceiling 88 substantially coplanar with floor 56 and intersecting and perpendicular to surface 86 and parallel to and overlapping and facing floor 38, and a plane surface 90 perpendicular to and intersecting surface 88 and parallel to and directly opposite surface 54.

End 32 of each section 20 also includes a recess 92 in open communication with ceiling 88 and surface 90 which has a plane surface or ceiling 94 coplanar with ceiling 68 of recess 66. Ceiling 94 is parallel to ceiling 88 and faces floor 38, and until another section 20 may be added to end 32 of the section 28 under consideration there is nothing between ceiling 94 and floor 38. Preferably a beveled surface 96 is provided joining ceiling 94 and surface 90.

End 24 of section 13, except for the fact that it has nothing corresponding to aperture 42, i identical to end 32 of each section 20, having a floor 98 identical to floor 38, a wall 180 identical to wall 40, a pair of plane surfaces 102 identical to plane surfaces 42, a surface 104 identical to surface 86, a ceiling 166 identical to ceiling 88, a surface 108 identical to surface 96 and a recess 110 identical to recess 92. Recess 116 includes a ceiling 112 identical to ceiling 94 and a beveled surface 114 identical to beveled surface 96.

One of sections 20 is assembled with section 18 with end 34) of the former confronting end 24 of the latter Thus, surfaces 162 of section 18 are within surfaces 46 of that section 28, with ceiling 34 of that section 20 overlapping and confronting and substantially coplanar with fioor 98. The relative spacing of surfaces 182 from each other and of surfaces 46 of that section 28 from each other may be such that surfaces 182 engage surfaces 46 of that section 28 in a press or interference fit. If this press fit exists, it serves positively to hold section 18 and that section 20 together. in any event, whether or not the press fit exists, the interengagements of surfaces 102 and surfaces 46 of that section 20 serve to locate the sections in question properly with respect to each other.

Furthermore, surface 52 of that section 28 confronts and is substantially coplanar with surface 164 of section 18, and ceiling 166 of section 18 overlaps and confronts and is substantially coplanar with the end of floor 56 ad jacent surface 52. Thus, that end of floor 56 confronts recess 116, and ceiling 112 thereof overlaps and confronts floor 56 and is spaced therefrom the same distance as is ceiling 68 of recess 66. Other pertinent dimensions are such that the end of retainer 74 remote from recess 66 is in recess 110. As intimated, ceiling 112 of recess is spaced from floor 56 a distance slightly less than the thickness of central retainer portion 82, which thus is in frictional or interference engagement with ceiling 112 and floor 56. Thus retainer 74 at least assists in holding sections 18 and the section 28 in question together.

The entry of retainer 74 into recess 118 is facilitated by beveled surface 114.

A terminal block assembly comprising section 18 and one section 20, that is, for example, the two leftmost sections of FIG. 5, would be a one-circuit assembly, and, as aforesaid both sections of the one-circuit assembly could be secured to a panel by means of screws, the shanks of which would pass through recesses 26 and 42. The head of the screw which would pass through recess 42 would extend above floor 33.

An additional section 20 with an additional stud 72 and an additional retainer 74 assembled therewith as aforesaid may be added to the one-circuit assembly described above, simply by assembling the additional section 20 (and parts preass-embled therewith) with the section 29 of the one-circuit assembly in the same manner in which the section 28 (and parts preassembled therewith) were previously assembled with section 18, that is, with surfaces 44 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly Within and perhaps in interference engagement with surfaces 46 of the additional section 20, with ceiling 34 of additional section 20 confronting and substantially c0- planar with floor 38 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly and covering one end of recess 42 of the lastmentioned section 20, with surface 52 of the additional section 28 confronting and substantially coplanar with surface 86 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly and with ceiling 88 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly overlapping and confronting and substantially coplanar with the end of floor 56 of the additional section 20 adjacent surface 52 thereof. Also, the end of the retainer 74 (which was preassembled with the additional section 20) remote from recess 66 of the additional section 20 is in recess 92 in frictional or interference engagement with ceiling 94 of section 28 of the one-circuit assembly and floor 56 of the additional section 20, thus at least to assist in holding the last two-mentioned sections together.

As many more sections 20 as desired may be added in like manner, and that section 20 which is most remote from section 18 provides end 16 of terminal block assembly 12.

During the assembly of an additional section 20 to another section 20 which has a mounting screw assembled therewith as aforesaid, the head of the mounting screw freely enters recessed portion 36 ofthe additional section 20, and in the event that a part of the head of the mounting screw overlaps wall 40 of the section 20 with which the mounting screw is assembled, that part of the screw head will freely enter recessed portion 50 of the additional section 20. Thus the mounting screw need not be re moved.

A nut 116 may be screwed onto threaded shank 76 of each stud 72 of terminal block assembly 12, for the purpose of securing terminals (not shown) to retainers 74.

Section 18 also includes a barrier 118 and each section 20 has a like barrier 120, and barriers 118 and 120 prevent electrical creepage or arc-over between adjacent circuits. Such creepage or arc-over between retainer 74 and a panel on which assembly 12 may be mounted is effectively prevented by the tortuous paths provided between adjacent sections and such panel.

The invention is well adapted to the attainment of the stated objects and advantages and others.

Since many changes in the details of the disclosed structure can be made without departing from the invention, those details which are not included in the appended claims are not to be taken as limitations on the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A terminal block assembly comprising first and second sections of insulating material each having first and second ends, a stud having a head and a shank, and a retainer having an apertured portion, said first end of said second section confronting said second end of said first section and having a surface facing away from said second end of said second section, a floor intersecting said surface, a first recess in said floor having confronting sides, and a second recess spaced toward said second end of said second section from said surface and facing away from said second end of said second section and having a ceiling facing said floor, said head in said first recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said retainer, a part of said retainer being located in said second recess, said second end of said first section having a ceiling overlapping said floor and with said floor defining a third recess confronting and spaced from said second recess, another part of said retainer being located in said third recess, said second end of said second section having an additional ceiling adapted to overlap a floor of an additional section interchangeable vvith said second section and to define there with an additional recess similar to said third recess.

2. A terminal block assembly comprising first and second sections of insulating material each having first and second ends, a stud having a head and a shank, and a stud retainer having an apertured central portion and a pair of legs depending therefrom, said first end of said second section confronting said second end of said first section and having a surface facing away from said second end of said second section, a floor perpendicular to and intersecting said surface, a pair of grooves in said floor perpendicular to and in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a first recess in said floor between said grooves and having confronting parallel sides in open communication with said surface, and a second recess spaced toward said second end of said second section from said surface and facing away from said second end of said second section in open communication with the ends of said grooves remote from said surface and having a ceiling facing said floor, said head in said first recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, said legs in said grooves and a part of said retainer being located in frictional engagement with said ceiling, said second end of said first section having a ceiling overlapping said floor and with said floor defining a third recess confronting and spaced from said second recess, another part of said retainer being in frictional engagement with said ceiling of said first section, said frictional engagements at least in part holding said sections together, said second end of said second section having an additional ceiling adapted to overlap a floor of an additional section interchangeable with said second section and to define therewith an additional recess similar to said third recess.

3. A terminal block assembly comprising first and second sections of insulating material each having first and second ends, a stud having a head and a shank, and a retainer having an apertured central portion, said first end of said second section confronting said second end of said first section and having a surface facing away from said second end of said second section, a floor intersecting said surface, a first recess in said floor having confronting sides, and a second recess spaced toward said second end of said second section from said surface and spaced from and facing away from said second end of said second section and having a ceiling facing said floor, said head in said first recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said retainer, a part of said retainer being located in said second recess in frictional engagement with said ceiling, said second end of said first section having a ceiling overlapping said floor and with said floor defining a third recess confronting and spaced from said second recess, another part of said retainer being located in said third recess in frictional engagement with said ceiling of said first section, said frictional engagements at least in part holding said sections together, said second end of said second section having an additional ceiling adapted to overlap a floor of an additional section interchangeable with said second section and to define therewith an additional recess similar to said third recess.

4. A terminal block assembly comprising first and second sections of insulating material each having first and second ends, a stud having a head and a shank, and a retainer having an apertured central portion and a pair of legs depending therefrom, said first end of said second section confronting said second end of said first section and having a surface facing away from said second end of said second section, a floor intersecting said surface, a pair of grooves in said floor in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a recess in said floor between said grooves and having confronting parallel sides in open communication with said surface, said head in said recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, said legs in said grooves, said second end of said first section having a portion overlapping said floor and closing the ends of said grooves, said second end of said second section having an additional portion adapted to overlap the floor and close the ends of the grooves of an additional section interchangeable with said second section.

5. In combination, a terminal block section of insulating material, a stud and a stud retainer, said section including first and second ends, said first end having a surface facing away from said second end, a floor intersecting said surface, a pair of grooves in said floor perpendicular to said surface, a first recess in said floor between said grooves and having confronting sides, a second recess joining the ends of said grooves remote from said surface and spaced toward said second end from said surface and facing away from said second end, said stud comprising a shank and a head, and said retainer having an apertured central portion and a pair of legs depending from said central portion, said head in said first recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, said legS in said grooves and a part of said retainer being located in said second recess and in frictional engagement with the sides thereof.

6. In combination, a terminal block section of insulating material, a stud and a stud retainer, said section including first and second ends, said first end including a surface facing away from said second end, a floor intersecting said surface, a pair of spaced grooves in said fioor perpendicular to and in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a recess in said floor between said grooves and in open communication with said surface and having confronting sides, said stud comprising a shank and a head, and said retainer having an apertured central portion, said head in said recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, and said legs in said grooves.

7. In combination, a terminal block section of insulating material, a stud and a stud retainer, said section including first and second ends, said first end including a surface facing away from said second end, a floor perpendicular to and intersecting said surface, a pair of spaced grooves in said floor perpendicular to and in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a recess in said floor between said grooves and in open communication with said surface and having parallel confronting sides, said stud comprising a shank and a head having parallel wrenching surfaces, and said retainer having an apertured central portion and a pair of legs depending from said cen tral portion, said head in said recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, and said legs in said grooves.

8. In combination, a terminal block section of insulating material, a stud and a stud retainer, said section including first and second ends, said first end including first and second spaced parallel surfaces facing away from said second end, a floor perpendicular to and joining said surfaces, a pair of spaced straight grooves in said floor, one end of each said groove being in open communication with said first surface, the opposite end of each said groove intersecting said second surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a recess in said floor between said grooves and having confronting sides perpendicular to said first surface and to said floor, one end of said recess in open communication with said first surface, said stud comprising a shank and a head having parallel wrenching surfaces, said re tainer comprising a member having a rectilinear central portion and a pair of parallel leg portions depending from 8 opposite sides thereof and a central aperture through said central portion, said head in said recess, said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, and said legs in said grooves.

9. In combination, a terminal block section of insulating material, a stud and a retainer, said section including first and second ends, said first end including a surface facing away from said second end, a floor intersecting said surface, a pair of spaced grooves in said fioor perpendicular to and in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a first recess in said floor between said grooves and in open communication with said surface and having confronting sides, a second recess joining the ends of said grooves remote from said surface and spaced toward said second end from said surface and facing away from said second end, said stud comprising a shank and a head, and said retainer having an apertured central portion and a pair of legs depending therefrom, said head in said first recess between said confronting sides and said shank passing through said aperture and projecting from said central portion, said legs in said grooves, and a part of said retainer being located in said second recess and in frictional engagement therewith.

10. A terminal block section of insulating material including first and second ends, said first end having a surface facing away from said second end, a floor intersecting said surface, a pair of grooves in said floor perpendicular to and in open communication with said surface, the bottoms of said grooves being closer to each other than the tops, a first recess in said floor between said grooves and having confronting sides in open communication with said surface, and a second recess in open communication with the ends of said grooves remote from said surface and spaced toward said second end from said surface and facing away from said second end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,571,638 Olson Feb. 2, 1926 2,221,710 Johnson Nov. 12, 1940 2,397,102 Graham Mar, 26, 1946 2,402,578 Rollow June 25, 1946 2,623,087 Latta Dec. 23, 1952 2,780,791 Morschel Feb. 5, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Buchanan Electronic Design, March 1955, page 80. 

